Sabalenka kills teenager Andreeva in first round at Roland Garros

PARIS – Second seed Aryna Sabalenka kicked off her campaign for a first French Open title and second Grand Slam crown of the year on Tuesday with a quick 6-1 6-2 first-round victory over Russian teenager Erika Andreeva on Tuesday, which will serve as a warning to her main rivals.

The 26-year-old, who successfully defended her Australian Open title earlier this year, is attempting to become the first woman to triumph in Melbourne and Paris in the same year since American Serena Williams achieved the feat in 2015.

“I'm just trying to separate myself from all these facts. I mean, I know if I can focus on myself and fight for every point and try to find a solution in every game, I can to win these big tournaments,” she said.

“But I’m just trying to take it step by step.”

Sabalenka arrived at Roland Garros as the top title contender after strong results in the European clay-court swing – losing only to Iga Swiatek and Marketa Vondrousova – and wasted no time getting going on Court Philippe Chatrier.

After breaking in the fourth game when Andreeva, 19, double-faulted, Sabalenka fired her forehand to take an early 5-1 lead and closed out the first set when her opponent sent a shot wide.

Sabalenka pounced again on world number 100 Andreeva's serve to take the lead in the second set before returning the break by attempting a deep chip, but last year's semi-finalist quickly took the lead 4-2 after saving more break points.

After neutralizing Andreeva's increased threat, she closed the match on serve in 68 minutes, finishing it on her third match point with a sublime drop shot to the net to the cheers of the crowd.

“In training I do it very well,” Sabalenka said earlier on the pitch. “But I wasn’t sure I could do it on the match field.

“Now I started using it in matches. It didn't work well before, but now it's finally starting to work, after many years of practicing my touch game.”

Next up for the Belarusian is Irene Burillo Escorihuela or Moyuka Uchijima, with the two qualifiers facing off later. REUTERS